Tuanzebe sues Manchester United over medical negligence

One of Burnley’s most notable signings this summer, Axel Tuanzebe, has launched a clinical negligence lawsuit against Manchester United. The legal action, targeting the club where he rose through the academy ranks, is set to reverberate across both Premier League grounds and the High Court of Justice in England.

Tuanzebe joined Manchester United at the age of eight and was promoted to the first team by José Mourinho in 2017. However, persistent injuries limited his opportunities, and he made just 37 competitive appearances before his contract expired in 2023. Two years later, the 27-year-old DR Congo international has made serious allegations against United’s medical staff.

Case details – Highlights from The Telegraph

Tuanzebe has filed for damages in the High Court, alleging clinical negligence. According to The Telegraph, the lawsuit claims the medical advice he received at the club was inadequate or incorrect, directly harming his career. His legal representatives have not issued any public comment on the case.

Tuanzebe captained every youth level at United after joining at eight. Still, between 2017 and 2023, he featured in only 37 senior matches for the club.

Injury record: chronic issues and spells on the sidelines

• October 2019: Hip injury during warm-up before the Liverpool match.

• December 2019: Heavy knock against Colchester United in the Carabao Cup.

• 2020–21 season start: Missed the start of the season due to a long-term foot injury.

• 2022–23 season start: Loaned to Stoke City without playing a single match due to injuries.

• October 2024: Sliced his finger in a domestic accident while at Ipswich, requiring surgery.

These injuries, spanning hundreds of days, significantly disrupted his physical development and prevented him from maintaining consistency at the top level. Only 37 appearances in a seven-year professional stint at the club underscore the tangible impact on the pitch.

Comeback moment: unforgettable night against PSG

Following a lengthy absence due to an ankle injury, Tuanzebe returned to the pitch in a Champions League away match against Paris Saint-Germain. He delivered a standout performance as Manchester United claimed a 2-1 victory. His calm interventions, dominant physique, and superb positional awareness earned widespread acclaim.

“His professionalism and discipline during rehabilitation were immense. But going forward, we need to keep him away from injuries. That’s a responsibility for all of us,”

said then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær after the match.

Tuanzebe’s lawsuit places some of that responsibility into question, alleging that key parties failed in their duty of care during his time at the club.

Medical trust under scrutiny

The case raises fresh questions about how much professional footballers can trust their clubs when it comes to medical treatment. Players like Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere also saw careers derailed by injuries, with the management of medical processes often playing a decisive role in their trajectories.

Manchester United has seen several players suffer prolonged injury spells over the past decade. Phil Jones went nearly two seasons without making a competitive appearance, while Luke Shaw has endured recurring bone issues—both contributing to growing scrutiny of the club’s medical department.

Burnley move and an emotional return

After leaving Manchester United in 2023, Tuanzebe signed a two-year deal with Ipswich Town. He spent the first season in the Championship and the second in the Premier League. However, ongoing fitness issues continued to disrupt his development.

With a likely early-season fixture against Manchester United, the encounter could become both a sporting and personal reckoning.

Publicly available information about the case remains limited. Still, this high-profile lawsuit could mark a turning point in how clubs manage their medical responsibilities, potentially prompting tighter oversight of player care protocols in the future.